Story follows a gifted shoe designer who is forced to break free from a family who wants to cheapen his art for their own commercial gain. Soon his overbearing mother hires a psychotherapist and a muse to lure him back to work.

Pic, which is skedded to lens in autumn 2012, is being shopped internationally by HanWay Films. CAA will rep North American rights.

“This project has all the elements we were looking for to satisfy our financing model,” said AWE’s Darby Angel. “The script is strong, as is the cast and the creative team. It’s great to work with an experienced and reputable producer like Lazar. ‘The Big Shoe’ ticks all the boxes, especially as our investment criteria are non-negotiable.”

Sturgess is repped by Megan Willis of Garricks and CAA.

Sarandon is repped by ICM while Shainberg is repped by Industry Entertainment.